Comparing LeBron James to NBA Legends

When a new elite talent arrives in the NBA, everyone immediately wants to draw the comparison between that player and Michael Jordan. This is a reasonable decision. Jordan, often considered the best player in NBA history, was a prolific scorer and won many NBA championships. With players like Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson, this comparison is warranted. However with a player whose skills aren’t the same as Jordan’s, like LeBron James, the comparison becomes somewhat moot. It is unfair to both Jordan and James to compare their games as they are far different players.

            Michael Jordan appeared on the basketball scene in college. In the NCAA Championship game, as a freshman, Jordan hit the game winning shot to lift the North Carolina Tar Heels to victory over Patrick Ewing’s Georgetown Hoyas. He was the second overall pick, after Sam Bowie was selected by the Portland Trailblazers, in the NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. He went out to have an outstanding career. He averaged over 30 points per game consistently, and once provided with a quality supporting cast, led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA Championships. Jordan came into the NBA with modest expectations and left it as one of the few best players ever to play the game.

            The basketball world’s introduction to LeBron James came in a very different way from Michael Jordan. The first hint the country got to LeBron James’s talent came while watching his high school basketball games. James as a high school senior, already at 6’6 and 230 pounds, was leading his Ohio-based team, and himself, to nationwide accolades. He was dominating his peers and had an NBA ready body. His many abilities had some already pegging him the next Jordan. When James entered the NBA draft, there was no doubt about where he would be selected. He was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavilers.

            Michael Jordan’s success was built around his great athleticism and jump-shooting abilities. His great ball-handling abilities allowed him to create space and hit open jump shots. LeBron James’ success is built around his great size and power and ability to penetrate into the lane. He uses his size and matching athleticism to overpower and demoralize opponents. It is clear that Jordan and James’ styles and success both come from different basketball abilities. Comparing the two is unfair to both, as both hold skills that the other doesn’t. This then creates a new conundrum. To whom can we compare “King” James?

            LeBron James elite skill set and impressive statistics are matched by few in NBA history. James’ success is not just built around his ability to score. He also manages to average over five assists and rebounds per game. This kind of all-around domination is apparent in no other current NBA players. Though it seems highly unlikely LeBron James could ever average a triple-double, he has come closer than any NBA player has in a long time. However, in the history of the NBA, one player has averaged a triple-double. This player is “The Big O,” Oscar Robertson.

            James’ talent and success doesn’t end with his ability to score the basketball. In fact, it only begins there. This is quality matched by none other than Oscar Robertson. Robertson, the only player in NBA history to average a over ten points, rebounds, and assists for an entire season, played with the similar elite skill set to James. Looking over the facts and statistics, it seems clear that Michael Jordan isn’t the right NBA legend to compare to LeBron James. That distinction belongs to none other than Oscar Robertson.